I'm really looking forward to the ride - will have 2 weeks in the UK before the Etape though training time may be a bit scarce with 3 kids to look after.

So far I've booked a hotel (With 2 spare beds for anyone looking to share some hotel costs). Am thinking I'll take the train from the UK just to avoid any chance of bike damage + avoiding the hassle of renting a car.

My club is organizing to do it. It is only an hour from home and start and finishes are close together... So logistics are much easier!. But I will hopefully be working from Corsica to Paris so will have to pass.

Looks like a good route next year... lovely climbs. Not too hard which means you can push yourself a bit harder . How many meters climbing is there?. You will never see the front, only the VIP's and best placed riders from previous editions etc get the low starting numbers... pace yourself at the start and don't get carried away in the first hour .

No risk of me being anywhere near the front, finishing is the first goal and second goal to be in the first half of the field. I'm coming from a fairly low base fitness so was originally going to target the Etape in 2014 - but weight loss and my riding are well ahead of target and the kids need to see their grandparents so 2013 it is.

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